The 'Third Semester': Competition means summer lessons for Chinese kids

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Summer vacation is here, but for many of China's children, it's no holiday. In fact, many are calling the break the "third semester". CGTN's Xu Mengqi files this report from Central China's Henan Province.

Right after dinner, a piano lesson. For seven and a half-year-old Liu Yuhan, BUSY is the word to describe her summer holiday. Her weekly schedule is filled with eight general interest classes, including piano, calligraphy, dancing, singing, and swimming. Liu Yuhan says she chose most of the lessons herself, and she enjoys all of them. But for Yuhan's mom, there is another factor.

WANG JING LIU YUHAN'S MOTHER "When there is a contest or performance at school, and you suddenly find that all the other kids are doing so well and your child is a complete beginner that will make you very anxious."

Competition. For any Chinese parent, it is clear that education rat race starts early. While Yuhan may have fun trying out what she likes, her mom is well aware that she has only a year or two more to do so.

XU MENGQI ZHENGZHOU "Many Chinese parents believe that the third grade of primary school is when they need to step up their child's academic focus and studies. This means extra evening classes, weekend tutoring sessions, and yes, even summer school. These additional forms of education have all become a reality for youngsters across the nation."

And for kids in upper grades, being competitive in school is already part of their consciousness.

ZHANG SIYUAN 7TH GRADER "At school we're ranked according to our academic performance, so there is a fair amount of pressure. Everyone is taking an after-school class so others won't overtake them. Are there prizes for being ranked at the top of the class? No, but it's a very pleasant feeling and you'll have a sense of accomplishment.”

XING QIANFANG 5TH GRADER "Once I did very poorly on an exam and I wanted to do better, so I took a summer remedial class. It helped me a lot and so I kept going to these extracurricular lessons."

And it's not only kids who are pressured to excel or to keep up. Parents feel it, too.

CUI LINMIN MOTHER OF A 6TH GRADER "There is definitely some financial pressure, but it's about our children. The whole point for parents to make money is for the children. Kids in other families are all taking the lessons, so we want to provide our kids the best we can, too."

But what is the best for these youngsters? No one has a sure answer yet. What people do know, is that competition is inescapable. And to counterbalance the mostly academic pressure, Liu Yuhan's mother says she hopes her child will develop a real interest in what she is learning now. Xu Mengqi, CGTN, Zhengzhou, Henan Province.